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JBL's long-delayed Android TV soundbar is finally here
JBL made a big splash last year at Google I/O 2108 with its $400 Link Bar that works as an Android TV Box, Google Assistant speaker and Chromecast device all in one. It turned out to be harder to stuff all that in than expected, however, as the device was significantly delayed following pre-orders that started nearly a year ago. Now, the wait is over, as JBL has announced that the Link Bar is finally available.
Android TV will benefit once Assistant is linked to live TV guide data
Remember Android TV? Google does, and not just so it can throw some unexpected advertisements on it. During the opening day of I/O 2019, Google revealed that over 80 percent of Android TV devices are already running version 7 or higher, and the company expects to have more that 60 percent on 8+ / Oreo by the end of the year -- even if it didn't discuss any upgrades on the way to software based on P or even Q. It's also counting over 1,000 streaming content providers on the platform these days, with more than 5,000 compatible apps.
Sony fixes bug that prevented Kodi installs on its TVs
The furor over Sony TVs allegedly blocking Kodi appears to be over. Sony told Engadget it's rolling out a firmware update for some of its Android-powered sets that fixes a bug preventing Kodi from installing. While it didn't say just what the fix entailed, it had previously mentioned that it had incorrectly flagged Kodi as a "kernel object" -- Kodi would go on to specify that a "certain letter combination" in its package ID sparked the confusion.
NCAA March Madness Live streams on Oculus Go
It'll be particularly easy to stream NCAA March Madness games this year, especially if you'd rather watch matches in total privacy. The NCAA and CBS are making the March Madness Live app available on 17 platforms for 2019, including first-time support for Android TV (shown above) and Oculus Go. That last addition could be particularly helpful if you live in a packed household -- you could have a big-screen game experience (including the 21 VR-native broadcasts) without monopolizing the TV or your phone.
Sling TV debuts free streaming option on Roku
Sling TV is trying a new way to reach potential users with a free option of its streaming platform. Through a "browse as guest" option, newcomers to Sling will be able to check out episodes from some shows (including Billions, Shameless and Ray Donovan) at no cost, though it seems only one episode is available for each of those series. You can also subscribe to standalone channels, such as Showtime, without having to pony up for a Sling package. Sling is rolling the feature out on Roku starting today, and plans to bring it to more devices in the future.
Sony's new 8K and 4K TVs will have Apple AirPlay too
AirPlay is everywhere at CES 2019, at least when it comes to TVs, and Sony's latest TVs are no different. The company announced that its Z9G Series 8K LCDs, A9G Series OLEDs and X950G 4K LCD TVs will all add support for Apple's AirPlay 2 and HomeKit protocols later this year. Similar to what we've seen from others like LG and Vizio, that will let users easily integrate them with other smart home devices that are compatible with Apple's protocols, and use AirPlay 2 features like synchronized multiroom audio. On Sony's TVs, this means blending Apple's tech with the Android TV platform they're based on. There's no technical reason why that can't happen, but it's an interesting wrinkle, and means that, like Vizio, users will have a bevy of options to choose between Google's Cast protocol and the Apple tech. Of course, a full-on iTunes app is still exclusive to Samsung's smart TV platform for now, but this is a start. So far there's no word on exactly when the feature will appear, or if it will extend to any older models, but we'll update this post if we get any more information.
Sony's 'super-large' 8K TVs are coming home this year
This year at CES Sony is one of the TV makers jumping into 8K with two "super-large" Z9G displays that are big enough, at 98- and 85-inches, to make use of the format's 33-million pixel resolution. According to Sony, these screens have "completely new" full array LED backlighting, plus a Picture Processor X1 Ultimate to manage the signal and upscale any lower-res video, which is important since 8K content will be hard to find for a while. Sony didn't mention much about content, but they are ready for IMAX Enhanced content, which will be available via the Privilege 4K service in the spring, and all of its TVs have support for Netflix Calibrated Mode. Plus, like so many other TVs we're seeing this week, all of the Sony models announced here will get support for Apple AirPlay 2 and HomeKit later this year. That high-res screen is surrounded by four speakers, with two at the top and two at the bottom, which Sony says can deliver an experience similar to its OLED TVs that deliver "Sound-from-Picture"reality. Assuming you have a home theater speaker setup (and for TVs like these we'd expect you would), it can also make the TV a center channel. It didn't call out support for HDMI 2.1 in the press release, but with 8K, as well as home theater equipment supporting features like Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC), we'd bet on having it.
Sony accused of blocking Kodi media app to discourage piracy
It won't shock you to hear many people use Kodi to pirate movies and TV shows, but Sony appears to be particularly alarmed. The Kodi team has accused Sony of blocking the installation of its media app on newer Android TVs following months of reports from users. They believe Sony is blocking the package ID from Google Play, and have worked around it by recompiling the app with a different ID to evade the company's filter.
JBL targets spring arrival for its Android TV-powered Link Bar
JBL made a splash with it's Android TV-powered Google Assistant soundbar back at Google I/O, but the company wasn't able to ship the speaker before the end of 2018. Despite opening up pre-orders and rumblings of anticipated ship dates in the fall, the Link Bar has yet to make it's official debut. JBL is chatting up the device this week at CES, and part of the details include an updated timeline for when you might be able to grab one: spring 2019. The $399.95 soundbar and an optional $299.95 subwoofer are both expected to ship then.
Android TV is getting pretty popular outside the US
Android TV landed on on a range of new devices this year, from Westinghouse's entry-level 4K TVs to Sony's high-end television sets and even a JBL soundbar. And it seems the increase in hardware partners is paying off. Back in May, Google said Android TV had doubled its new users in the past year -- and it's lured in more consumers since then. It's now being used by "tens of millions" of users outside of the US, according to an Android TV exec who spoke to Multichannel News, in regions including Europe and Asia.
AT&T is beta testing its Android-based streaming device
AT&T previously acknowledged the existence of its DirecTV Now-oriented streaming box, but now it's getting close to a proper launch. The telecom used its quarterly earnings to confirm that the Android TV-powered media hub is in beta testing with an aim to trial the hardware in the first half of 2019. The carrier was unsurprisingly coy about details, but it stressed that there would be a "measured" rollout. Don't expect gigantic promotions or aggressive pricing.
Just tell Google Assistant to play Netflix on Android TVs
Until now, casting video to an Android TV through a Google Assistant-enabled device such as a Google Home or the new JBL soundbar has been a fairly simple affair. With the exception of playing Netflix, that is. Now, Google is finally changing that by allowing Google Assistant to play Netflix on Android TV devices.
JBL's Android TV soundbar arrives in October for $399
You don't have to wait too much longer if you like the thought of a Google-powered soundbar. JBL's Link Bar is now available for pre-order in the US for $399, with shipments poised to start in October. You won't get a room-shaking system for that money with a modest 100W output and no subwoofer (it does support wireless models), but you will get smarts.
Dish is bringing Netflix to more hotel rooms
Dish Network began offering hotel entertainment in 2017 with an Android TV-powered box that let guests stream and watch live television in the comfort of their own hotel room. YouTube and Sling TV were supported via built-in Chromecast, but Netflix was noticeably missing. Now Dish has Netflix, and will integrate the streaming content into its Evolve system in the coming months.
Twitter kills its apps on Roku, Android TV and Xbox
Twitter pulled the plug on its official Mac app this past February, and its continuing to shut out other third party apps as well. The company tweeted that as of Thursday, May 24th, Twitter for set top media boxes Roku, Android TV and Xbox will no longer work. The company refers any of these device users to twitter.com for the "full Twitter experience."
Google's 4K Android TV dongle is real -- but it's for developers
A Google-branded TV dongle spotted floating through the FCC is real, but the bad news is you probably won't be able to get one right now. The company just announced during its I/O developer event that this device is the ADT-2, intended to help developers working on apps for Android TV (a sign-up sheet is here, expect priority if you have an Android dev account, and to get one free if you're at the event). The platform is now supported by over 100 partners, including TV manufacturers, home theater devices and, increasingly, pay-TV set-top-boxes.
JBL's next soundbar doubles as an Android TV box
JBL and Google announced a new soundbar that gives users voice control over a number of features and devices via the Google Assistant. When you plug the JBL Link Bar into your TV, for example, you can then say "Hey Google" and ask it to play whatever TV show, movie or YouTube content you want to watch or listen to. It can even be used to control your smart home devices or play music. The JBL Link Bar features seamless HDMI input switching and the Google Assistant can also be used when the TV is off.
Sony's 2018 4K TVs keep the focus on OLED, HDR and Android
Last year Sony kicked off the year by adding OLED and HDR to its lineup, then later pushed Google's Assistant AI as an upgrade for its Android TV platform. In 2018 the company is sticking to those basics on its latest 4K TVs with a few tweaks. It will once again offer OLED TVs in 55- and 65-inch sizes, this time with an updated version of its technology that broadcasts sound directly from the display itself. Now dubbed "Acoustic Surface," this A8F series appears to pack the upgraded version of Crystal Sound that LG Display is showing off, with support for 3.1 channels of audio instead of the A1E's 2.1. There's no word yet on price, but last year's models launched at $5,000 and $6,500, and currently sell for around $3,000/$4,000.
Hisense plans to launch more versions of its Laser TV
At the end of last year Hisense launched the $10,000, one-hundred-inch 4K Laser TV projector first introduced at CES 2017. This year, it's continuing to push that idea of a home theater in a box. According to President Liu Hongxin, the company has more sizes in development (80- and 88-inch sizes will be in its booth) and already commands 60 percent of the market share for 85 inches and above. As far as regular TVs go, the company once again has a wide range of LED-lit LCD televisions ranging in size and price. However, the biggest change is that there's no mention of Roku built in. This time around the high-end H10E (pictured above, which features more than 1,000 zones of LED lighting) and H9E Plus series feature Android TV, while its other models are based on the Hisense TV Platform. That platform includes apps for Netflix, Amazon, Pandora, YouTube and Fox Sports Go. All of them are Amazon Alexa-enabled with voice control access, while the Android models also support Google Assistant. What we don't see in the lineup is any mention of Roku, which isn't too surprising, since those TVs were hard to find last year.
Westinghouse's 43-inch 4K Android TV set costs $350
Perhaps one of the best developments for tech consumers over the past few years has been the arrival of cheap, surprisingly feature-rich 4K TVs from companies like Vizio. That trend continues this year at CES 2018, as Westinghouse has unveiled a series of 4K models with Android TV starting at just $350. Don't expect miracles in terms of picture quality, but it's definitely a cheap way to get Netflix streaming, smart home control, Google Cast and other features.